Campbell ends GWU wrestling winning streak

Special to The Star

Monday

Jan 28, 2013 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2013 at 11:12 PM

BUIES CREEK — The Gardner-Webb wrestling team picked up four wins overall on Monday night, but the Runnin’ Bulldogs were doubled up in a 24-12 road loss Campbell in Southern Conference dual match action.

BUIES CREEK — The Gardner-Webb wrestling team picked up four wins overall on Monday night, but the Runnin’ Bulldogs were doubled up in a 24-12 road loss Campbell in Southern Conference dual match action.

The loss ends Gardner-Webb’s dual match winning streak at two straight, as the Runnin ’ Bulldog grapplers fell to 4-7 overall and 2-3 in the Southern Conference.

Campbell started the match with a fall by Brent Jorge at 1:17 over Ryan Medved at 149 pounds to take an early 6-0 lead to start the night.

Gardner-Webb answered with a 4-2 decision from Alex Medved over Nick Rex at 157 pounds to cut the Fighting Camels’ match lead to three at 6-3. The win was Medved’s eight straight victory and team-high 22nd of the season.

However, the Fighting Camels posted another pin at 165 pounds by Paul Duggan and a 7-1 decision at 174 pounds by Cody Ryba to pull out in front by 12 at 15-3 with six bouts to go in the dual.

After freshman Gray Jones ended the Campbell run with a 3-1 decision over James Cook after two sudden victory periods at 184 pounds, the Fighting Camels’ John Merickel shut out GWU’s Blake Salyer 6-0 at 197 pounds to keep the home team’s match lead at double digits at 18-6.

Gardner-Webb redshirt senior Travis Porter, who is ranked No. 33 overall by the NCAA at 285 pounds, earned a 6-3 win over Joe Nolan at the heavyweight spot to put the Runnin ’ Bulldogs down nine at 18-9 with three matches to go. The victory was Porter’s fourth straight and his 17th on the year.

Campbell’s Eric Montoya, who is ranked No. 28 overall at 125 pounds by the NCAA, put even more pressure on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, as he held on to defeat Cortez Starkes 8-2 to push the Fighting Camels back in front by 12 at 21-9.

GWU’s Robbie Golde followed up with an 8-4 decision over Tanner Bidelspach at 133 pounds to put the score at 21-12 in favor of the home team, which secured the match win for the Fighting Camels with one bout remaining.

The 141-pound contest went in favor of Campbell’s Michael Dahlstrom , 7-3.